cas·sa·va 
(kə-sävə)
(kə-sävə)n.
1. A shrubby tropical American plant (Manihot esculenta) widely grown for its large, tuberous, starchy roots.
2. The root of this plant, eaten as a staple food in the tropics only after leaching and drying to remove cyanide. Cassava starch is also the source of tapioca. In both senses also called manioc, yuca.
[Ultimately from Taíno casavi, flour from manioc.]
cassavacassava plant (top) and root (bottom)
Manihot esculenta
cassava